BYU basketball: Cougars plan on having Brandon Davies back next season

PROVO — Suspended forward Brandon Davies says he is planning to play for BYU next season.

Davies, who was suspended for an honor code violation on March 1, has withdrawn from school but is working with the school's dean of students. If Davies meets certain conditions, he will be able to re-enroll in the fall and play the entire 2011-2012 season, according to school spokesperson Carri Jenkins.

"There's a pretty long list of people that I'd like to thank who are helping me through this difficult time," Davies said in a statement. "It's been very hard emotionally but thanks to the love and support of many, I'll be able to get through it. There's a plan in place, and I intend to follow through and return to BYU in the fall. I'm looking forward to coming back to school to continue my education and getting back on the court."

Davies completed his coursework for the winter semester and took his final examinations before voluntarily deciding to withdraw. Now it's up to Davies to meet the conditions set by the school.

"Our hope is that these conditions will be met by fall semester 2011," Jenkins said. "If so, he will be able to return to school. Our hope is that he will be able to suit up for the 2011-12 season. Again, that's if he has met the conditions to return to the university."

Davies will not be eligible to participate in the BYU basketball team's trip to Europe this summer.

At the time of Davies' suspension, BYU was coming off a monumental victory at No. 6 San Diego State on national television. The Cougars ascended to No. 3 in the national rankings and were projected as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

On the eve of BYU's home game against New Mexico, the school announced Davies' suspension for the remainder of the season, which triggered national headlines. The shell-shocked Cougars fell to the Lobos, 82-64.

Davies, a Provo native, started 26 of 29 games for BYU last season, averaging 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game. He was named to the All-MWC third-team. During BYU's postseason run in the Mountain West Conference Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, Davies sat on the bench and watched the Cougars advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 30 years.

BYU fell in the MWC Tournament championship game to San Diego State but defeated Wofford and Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament. In eight games without Davies, BYU posted a 5-3 record.

If Davies rejoins the Cougars, he will be a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.

Next season, BYU, which is joining the West Coast Conference, will have to replace senior guards Fredette and Jackson Emery. Fredette, the consensus national player of the year, led the nation in scoring. Emery broke the school record for career steals.